June 04, 2009 
By Janet Farley
There are now 6,000 good reasons to get your college degree and build a long-term, portable career and you can thank the DoD’s recently implemented Military Spouse Career Advancement Account Program (MyCAA) for all of them.
Under this unique program, MyCAA financial assistance pays up to $6,000 for expenses such as post-secondary education and training, tuition, licensing and credentialing fees. The program pays for career specific exams, state certifications for teachers, medical professionals and services required to become employed in a portable career field. Examples of such services include finger printing, security checks and drug screening tests.
MyCAA does not cover costs, however, for computers, school application fees, graduation fees, student activity cards, childcare, parking, transportation, medical services or testing fees. If, on the other hand, the cost of a course includes books, supplies or other required equipment, MyCAA will pay that cost.
Through the program, participating schools use the MyCAA’s AI Portal to bill the DoD electronically. Reimbursements for expenses previously incurred are not paid.
If you are interested in going to a school that is not a MyCAA partner, you can request the school be added through your school academic advisor or by calling a Military OneSource Career/Education Consultant at 1-800-342-9647.
MyCAA, sponsored by the Office of the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Military Community & Family Policy (DUSD/MC&FP) is open to military spouses of all active duty service members. Spouses of Guard and Reserve members are also eligible from the date of the Alert or Warning Order for Military Recall or Mobilization, through activation and deployment until 180 days following De-Mobilization.
Military spouses who are also service members, however, may not use the program. Instead, those spouses may take advantage of generous military tuition benefits instead.
You may begin taking advantage of your MyCAA today by establishing an account at https://aiportal.acc.af.mil/mycaa. After the DoD verifies you eligibility (based on DEERS), you will notified that your account has been officially established and you can begin working on your career plan.
Spouses who are not interested in receiving MyCAA financial assistance may still establish an account and access MyCAA’s useful career planning resources to include serving as a mentor to other spouses.
Don’t delay. Take advantage of MyCAA today!
Janet Farley, Ed.M Freelance writer specializing in Careers & Workplace Issues Author, The Military Spouse's Complete Guide to Career Success (Impact Publications, Jan 2008) and The Military-to-Civilian Career Transition Guide (Jist Inc). Visit my website at www.janetfarley.com